The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Community’s Need for Jefferson Feed
The Local Pet and Garden Authorities Go Above and Beyond for Their Customers and Strive to Help Homeless Animals Find Their Forever Families
When founder Anthony Benedetto began delivering superb quality horse feed out of his station wagon before opening his first store in New Orleans in 1950, Jefferson Feed’s sterling reputation as a company dedicated to animals and plants began to take shape. Today, owner George Benedetto continues his father’s admirable legacy by ensuring the dependable products and sage advice that people have come to rely on for their pets’ wellness continues. Jefferson Feed and its valuable employees, who excel at a signature mix of expert customer service and genuine care, have helped transform lawns into spectacular spaces and have aided in ensuring that beloved pets thrive. Over time they have become committed to connecting homeless pets with their future families. Jefferson Feed has partnered with the Jefferson Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a nonprofit which maintains a physical presence inside the main store, to make rescue pets available for adoption. - Animal advocates like Lynn Morvant, the General Manager of Jefferson Feed and President of the Jefferson SPCA, is proud of their role in making dreams come true for animals needing homes.
“We realized it was important to be an extension of the shelter to take on these animals,” says Morvant. Helping homeless pets located at both JPAWS (Jefferson Protection & Animal Welfare Services, the governmental agency formerly known as the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter located in Harvey on the West Bank, and the homeless pets at Jefferson Feed’s main store that are pulled from JPAWS, is the purpose of the Jefferson SPCA. “That’s the way we want to help as the nonprofit partner to the JPAWS shelter. A shelter veterinarian left town around last spring and it takes time to get a new contract in place; the Jefferson SPCA found a candidate and through our donor dollars we were able to pay that vet a few months until the contract was in place. If there’s a contract lapse with vaccines then Rachel Goyette, the Jefferson SPCA Programs Director, will provide vaccines or whatever it takes to help them.”
Morvant has been a fixture at Jefferson Feed since he was 17 years old. “I’ve been here 50 years,” says Morvant. “George’s dad started this business in 1949, and he was so involved in the community,” says Morvant. “Back then the whole area where Jefferson Feed is on Jefferson Highway was so agricultural that Mr. Anthony Benedetto was in the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association and helped in the planning of a 4-H show barn. He appreciated jazz and helped with the New Orleans Jazz Museum. 60 years ago he opened the door and pushed us all to follow our passions, and George extends those values his dad created. We both worked together under his dad, learning everything, and George follows all the same beliefs. George appreciates his customers and is one-hundred percent behind Jefferson Feed’s partnership with the Jefferson SPCA to get homes for all the pets.”
Besides continuing the family tradition of supplying exceptional pet and plant products and know-how and supporting pet adoption, George Benedetto has significantly contributed to the community through Herculean undertakings to preserve World War II history. “George was involved with The National World War II Museum in New Orleans during its infancy when it was called The National D-Day Museum,” says Morvant. “The Higgins boat factory in New Orleans was an integral part of the success of World War II; they produced the Higgins landing craft which was seen in Band of Brothers. George was the project volunteer manager tasked to find a Higgins landing craft to restore. He did that with many other volunteers for three years then George was the first one to motor it.”
Next, Benedetto located a PT (patrol torpedo) boat for the WWII Museum then oversaw its resurrection with other dedicated volunteers. “George was the project manager for PT-305,” says Morvant. After serving in Europe from 1944 until WWII ended, PT-305 did civilian duty as a fishing charter, an oyster boat and a New York tour boat before the WWII Museum acquired her. Informally known as USS Sudden Jerk thanks to its proclivity for surprise movements, PT-305 became the only fully operational combat-veteran PT boat in the world once its almost 10-year, 120,000-hour restoration was complete. In 2017 PT-350 was back in Lake Pontchartrain, where she was originally tested by Higgins Industries in New Orleans. “The WWII Museum wanted to have it at the lake and made available for trips for dignitaries, so George got his captain’s license and was the first to run the boat for the people that came down to see it.” People were treated to exciting rides on PT-305 until the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the WWII Museum decided to house her at its John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion (reopening soon after renovations), so visitors can get an up-close look at the magnificent Navy vessel. With spring in full swing, it’s the most wonderful time of the year for garden devotees and Jefferson Feed’s main location has everything a green thumb could want: plants, seeds, pots, mulch, fertilizer, soil and more. The Mid-City location has some planting supplies, while all other stores are focused on pet needs. Inevitably, people do come in for sod only to fall in love with an adorable adoptable animal. “Some great customers wind up adopting,” says Rachel Goyette, who started volunteering to photograph adoptable pets for the Jefferson Parish shelter before becoming the Jefferson SPCA Programs Director. “A landscaping guy who’s always had reptiles fell in love with two kittens we had while walking back to the garden department. When you go back to the garden department at the main store you must pass the cats in those cages in the cat area that used to be known as Meow Town. The more outgoing cats are like ‘Hey! I’m right here, pick me! Pick me!’ and they all stick their arms out at you. People can’t resist them.”
Hosting adoptable animals at Jefferson Feed began about 30 years ago. “The Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter was looking for a place for off-site weekend adoptions, and the group ‘Friends of the Jefferson Animal Shelter’ brought the animals to Jefferson Feed on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” says Morvant. “We realized how important it was to offer them an environment outside of the shelter; even the nicest shelters are a bit awkward and overwhelming. 15 or 20 animals might get adopted in a day, so we had the Louisiana SPCA here, then a rescue group from Lafayette would bring 30 Chihuahuas here! We found that customers love their animals and it’s a great place to be able to share homeless animals with these people. We’ve had people who’d never had pets before that were able to connect with the animals at the store and realize the value of that companionship.”
JPAWS is constantly overcrowded with animals according to Goyette, and the Jefferson SPCA often takes on the harder cases of animals that are in real need instead of easily adoptable puppies and kittens. “People need to expand their minds and educate themselves about animal welfare,” says Goyette. “I wish we had stricter animal welfare laws; owning animals should be a privilege, not a right. Some people don’t give dogs heartworm prevention, or leave their pets outside to live. Orleans Parish has mandatory spay and neuter laws and Jefferson Parish needs it too.” Potential adopters are screened and no same-day adoptions are allowed at Jefferson Feed. “These animals are our children; we bottle feed them, we take them home. The young employees are obsessed and ask for permission to sit and play with the animals. The staff stays past closing to give each cat some one-on-one attention and our animals deserve good homes.”
Goyette is thankful Jefferson Feed showcases dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals to potential adopters. “I like that we’re at Jefferson Feed because they sell great affordable food and excellent natural food so you know the people coming there to buy food are already great pet owners,” says Goyette. “I recommend Jefferson Feed to everybody; the nutrition options for your pet are fantastic.” Food options range from wild bird food to organic dog and cat food to horse feed, plus a plethora of pet toys, leashes, treats, shampoos, grooming supplies and fashion is available. “The selection of fun toys for small animals is large, and I love that Jefferson Feed is local.”
Repeat customers are the norm at Jefferson Feed, not only for its awesome array of products but for its thoughtful, friendly employees and their ability to tackle gardening questions who have compassion for people’s pets as if they were their own. “The guys that have been at Jefferson Feed forever are amazing: if you want to plant, treat or exterminate something in your yard but you have animals, talk to Scott: he has incredible knowledge, knows what’s safe to use and he’s better than Google!” says Goyette. “Everyone here follows the same philosophy of expert knowledge with a personal touch,” says Morvant. “One of our customers lost his bulldog, and an artistic employee of ours sketched this bulldog out of the goodness of her heart, and it really touched him and made him feel better. Ricky who works in the yard department has been here 40 years, some of the gang’s been here 20 and 25 years, Martha, who handles our adoptions, has been here about 15 years. It becomes family, just what we want it to be. And we have an amazing veterinarian, Dr. Genevieve Wisdom, who was the shelter’s vet for 12 years and is now in private practice with her office located at Jefferson Feed’s main location. She’s done so well and she’s one of the surgeons that participates in our spay/neuter program. It’s a really good synergy!”
The Jefferson SPCA has progressive programs to support pets. “The Fix-A-Heart Program is for heartworm positive dogs that come into the shelter,” says Goyette. A dog with heartworms will eventually die if not treated. “If the adopter buys a year’s supply of heartworm prevention, we cover their heartworm treatment. We give rescues that pull JPAWS dogs over 40 pounds money to treat those dogs because about 70% of shelter dogs are heartworm positive.” The Fix-A-Canine spay/neuter program is low-cost for dogs of any Jefferson Parish residents and free for pit bulls. “There’s free spay/neuter for German Shepards and Huskies temporarily because they’ve gotten out of hand.” Fix-A-Feline is low-cost for cats and free for feral cats in traps. The innovative transport program relocates adoptable dogs to parts of the country not afflicted with dog overpopulation problems. “We transport dogs by flight and by car; one volunteer just drove a mom and six puppies to Pennsylvania. Fifteen people might meet at certain points and drive the dogs for an hour or so.”
Events like the recent ‘Bunnies and Bagels’ are held by the Jefferson SPCA. “People dump rabbits in City Park, Lafreniere Park, even in the post office,” says Goyette. “They can give birth every 32 days, it’s outrageous! For bunnies we have a spay/neuter program because they make wonderful pets, service animals and therapy animals. They love cuddling with you and can be litter box trained. We do ‘Kitten Yoga’ at the library in the summer and we’ll have fun collaborative stuff with the shelter, maybe an adoption event where dogs run around together upstairs in Jefferson Feed’s training room area.”
Happiness envelops the whole crew at Jefferson Feed and the Jefferson SPCA when the animals they wholeheartedly care for land their adoption happily ever afters. “When an adoptable animal finds their family it’s the ultimate win,” says Morvant. “It’s what it’s all about for all of us here because everybody helps with the animals, knows the animals and talks to customers about them. When families who adopted from us come to buy food, they’ll bring their pets along and we get to see them again.” “We love seeing that!” says Goyette. “On our Facebook group, ‘Somepawdy to Love from Jefferson SPCA,’ we see people love on these animals as much as we do. You’re not sure you’ll find that person for an animal you’ve been caring for. You must be patient. Suddenly we’ll get 20 adoption applications!”
Morvant has two dogs of his own and recently lost his adored 15-year-old dog, Jefferson. “He came from the Jefferson Shelter and he worked at Jefferson Feed,” says Morvant. “I thought he was a Jack Russell Terrier and he ended up being a 50-pound Pointer-esque mixed breed. At the old Jefferson Parish shelter on the West Bank, his right front paw got caught in the cage wires and had nerve damage so of course I took him home to foster him; that didn’t last very long! Once they come in the house they’re there forever.”
Goyette currently has 17 dogs, mostly senior Dachshunds. “I like helping the older, more unadoptable ones but I can’t save them all,” says Goyette. “My foster Dachshund, Wilber, has heartworms so bad he may not make it. Animals give you unconditional love, no matter what; my dogs’ kisses are stress relief. When they’re all asleep, so content and happy, I look at my dogs and think how rewarding rescuing animals is. You’ve changed their lives forever. That feeling can’t be beat.” About 30 years ago Morvant learned that just one person can make a difference for animals. “Jefferson SPCA would have a nice little festival called Pet Fest but being at the shelter, it was limited,” says Morvant. “Angela Hill shared two little words of advice with us to make it better: think big. And it turned into a major festival at Lafreniere Park with other rescue groups and shelters, from South Louisiana to Gulfport, that got the opportunity to adopt out their dogs. We thought big about venders and had about 30 veterinarian clinics there. It brought everyone together, from Boxer rescue groups to AKC show groups, to create a dynamic event and made the groups appreciate each other. Covid is a challenge but we need to reorganize and do Pet Fest again. Promoting pets is so important. I’ve had pets all my life and the world would be empty without them.”
Morvant is key to making Jefferson Feed the top spot for local pets and gardens according to Goyette. “Jefferson Feed is successful because of Lynn,” says Goyette. “He runs the show. He wants to help everybody in animal rescue: ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans, BunnAgain Rabbit Rescue, Take Paws Rescue, Weimaraner Rescue of the South are some. He’s on the board of Barkus. Lynn’s a well-respected animal man so he’s in all things.”
“It’s 100% about the animals,” says Morvant. “We have dedicated volunteers but we need more; all rescues need people who have the time. On GiveNOLA Day on May 7, people can donate to Jefferson SPCA or to any rescue.” And Morvant eschews the idea that he’s solely responsible for Jefferson Feed’s success. “It’s not about me. It’s a team effort with everyone that makes Jefferson Feed run: Rachel, Martha, I can think of a thousand different names that make it a treasure every day. They should be appreciated for putting up with me for 50 years! Since 1973, it’s just another day in paradise for me. It’s the only place I’ve ever worked at but it’s never been a day’s work. My job titles are just titles; I sweep the parking lot too. And I do whatever Rachel tells me to do!”
For more information, please see jeffersonfeed.com, @jeffersonfeed, facebook.com/jeffersonfeedpetandgarden, jeffersonspca.org, jspca.petfinder.com, facebook.com/JeffersonSPCA, facebook.com/meowtowncatadoptioncenter/, facebook.com/groups/somepawdytolovejeffersonspca/, nolajazzmuseum.org, nationalww2museum.org, wisdomanimalhospital.com, animalrescueneworleans.org, bunnagain.com, takepawsrescue.org, weimrescue.com, kreweofbarkus.org, givenola.org,
Please visit Jefferson Feed at the following locations:
Jefferson Feed, Pet & Garden Center - Jefferson Highway Location (Main Location)
4421 Jefferson Highway
Jefferson LA 70121
Phone (504)733-8572
Jefferson Feed Mid-City - Carrollton/Mid-City Location
309 N Carrollton Avenue #1N
New Orleans LA 70119
Phone (504)488-8118
Jefferson Feed Uptown - Magazine/Uptown Location
6047 Magazine Street
New Orleans LA 70118
Phone (504)218-4220
Jefferson Feed Metairie - Metairie/Veterans Location (Next to Trader Joe’s)
2949 Veterans Memorial Boulevard A-4
Metairie LA 70002
Phone (504)875-4810
Neighborhood Pet Market by Jefferson Feed - Baton Rouge/Perkins Location
12871 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge LA 70810
Phone (225)757-5877
Neighborhood Pet Market by Jefferson Feed - Baton Rouge/Airline Location
15168 Airline Highway
Baton Rouge LA 70817
Phone (225)753-9582
When founder Anthony Benedetto began delivering superb quality horse feed out of his station wagon before opening his first store in New Orleans in 1950, Jefferson Feed’s sterling reputation as a company dedicated to animals and plants began to take shape. Today, owner George Benedetto continues his father’s admirable legacy by ensuring the dependable products and sage advice that people have come to rely on for their pets’ wellness continues. Jefferson Feed and its valuable employees, who excel at a signature mix of expert customer service and genuine care, have helped transform lawns into spectacular spaces and have aided in ensuring that beloved pets thrive. Over time they have become committed to connecting homeless pets with their future families. Jefferson Feed has partnered with the Jefferson Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a nonprofit which maintains a physical presence inside the main store, to make rescue pets available for adoption. - Animal advocates like Lynn Morvant, the General Manager of Jefferson Feed and President of the Jefferson SPCA, is proud of their role in making dreams come true for animals needing homes.
“We realized it was important to be an extension of the shelter to take on these animals,” says Morvant. Helping homeless pets located at both JPAWS (Jefferson Protection & Animal Welfare Services, the governmental agency formerly known as the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter located in Harvey on the West Bank, and the homeless pets at Jefferson Feed’s main store that are pulled from JPAWS, is the purpose of the Jefferson SPCA. “That’s the way we want to help as the nonprofit partner to the JPAWS shelter. A shelter veterinarian left town around last spring and it takes time to get a new contract in place; the Jefferson SPCA found a candidate and through our donor dollars we were able to pay that vet a few months until the contract was in place. If there’s a contract lapse with vaccines then Rachel Goyette, the Jefferson SPCA Programs Director, will provide vaccines or whatever it takes to help them.”
Morvant has been a fixture at Jefferson Feed since he was 17 years old. “I’ve been here 50 years,” says Morvant. “George’s dad started this business in 1949, and he was so involved in the community,” says Morvant. “Back then the whole area where Jefferson Feed is on Jefferson Highway was so agricultural that Mr. Anthony Benedetto was in the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association and helped in the planning of a 4-H show barn. He appreciated jazz and helped with the New Orleans Jazz Museum. 60 years ago he opened the door and pushed us all to follow our passions, and George extends those values his dad created. We both worked together under his dad, learning everything, and George follows all the same beliefs. George appreciates his customers and is one-hundred percent behind Jefferson Feed’s partnership with the Jefferson SPCA to get homes for all the pets.”
Besides continuing the family tradition of supplying exceptional pet and plant products and know-how and supporting pet adoption, George Benedetto has significantly contributed to the community through Herculean undertakings to preserve World War II history. “George was involved with The National World War II Museum in New Orleans during its infancy when it was called The National D-Day Museum,” says Morvant. “The Higgins boat factory in New Orleans was an integral part of the success of World War II; they produced the Higgins landing craft which was seen in Band of Brothers. George was the project volunteer manager tasked to find a Higgins landing craft to restore. He did that with many other volunteers for three years then George was the first one to motor it.”
Next, Benedetto located a PT (patrol torpedo) boat for the WWII Museum then oversaw its resurrection with other dedicated volunteers. “George was the project manager for PT-305,” says Morvant. After serving in Europe from 1944 until WWII ended, PT-305 did civilian duty as a fishing charter, an oyster boat and a New York tour boat before the WWII Museum acquired her. Informally known as USS Sudden Jerk thanks to its proclivity for surprise movements, PT-305 became the only fully operational combat-veteran PT boat in the world once its almost 10-year, 120,000-hour restoration was complete. In 2017 PT-350 was back in Lake Pontchartrain, where she was originally tested by Higgins Industries in New Orleans. “The WWII Museum wanted to have it at the lake and made available for trips for dignitaries, so George got his captain’s license and was the first to run the boat for the people that came down to see it.” People were treated to exciting rides on PT-305 until the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the WWII Museum decided to house her at its John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion (reopening soon after renovations), so visitors can get an up-close look at the magnificent Navy vessel. With spring in full swing, it’s the most wonderful time of the year for garden devotees and Jefferson Feed’s main location has everything a green thumb could want: plants, seeds, pots, mulch, fertilizer, soil and more. The Mid-City location has some planting supplies, while all other stores are focused on pet needs. Inevitably, people do come in for sod only to fall in love with an adorable adoptable animal. “Some great customers wind up adopting,” says Rachel Goyette, who started volunteering to photograph adoptable pets for the Jefferson Parish shelter before becoming the Jefferson SPCA Programs Director. “A landscaping guy who’s always had reptiles fell in love with two kittens we had while walking back to the garden department. When you go back to the garden department at the main store you must pass the cats in those cages in the cat area that used to be known as Meow Town. The more outgoing cats are like ‘Hey! I’m right here, pick me! Pick me!’ and they all stick their arms out at you. People can’t resist them.”
Hosting adoptable animals at Jefferson Feed began about 30 years ago. “The Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter was looking for a place for off-site weekend adoptions, and the group ‘Friends of the Jefferson Animal Shelter’ brought the animals to Jefferson Feed on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” says Morvant. “We realized how important it was to offer them an environment outside of the shelter; even the nicest shelters are a bit awkward and overwhelming. 15 or 20 animals might get adopted in a day, so we had the Louisiana SPCA here, then a rescue group from Lafayette would bring 30 Chihuahuas here! We found that customers love their animals and it’s a great place to be able to share homeless animals with these people. We’ve had people who’d never had pets before that were able to connect with the animals at the store and realize the value of that companionship.”
JPAWS is constantly overcrowded with animals according to Goyette, and the Jefferson SPCA often takes on the harder cases of animals that are in real need instead of easily adoptable puppies and kittens. “People need to expand their minds and educate themselves about animal welfare,” says Goyette. “I wish we had stricter animal welfare laws; owning animals should be a privilege, not a right. Some people don’t give dogs heartworm prevention, or leave their pets outside to live. Orleans Parish has mandatory spay and neuter laws and Jefferson Parish needs it too.” Potential adopters are screened and no same-day adoptions are allowed at Jefferson Feed. “These animals are our children; we bottle feed them, we take them home. The young employees are obsessed and ask for permission to sit and play with the animals. The staff stays past closing to give each cat some one-on-one attention and our animals deserve good homes.”
Goyette is thankful Jefferson Feed showcases dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals to potential adopters. “I like that we’re at Jefferson Feed because they sell great affordable food and excellent natural food so you know the people coming there to buy food are already great pet owners,” says Goyette. “I recommend Jefferson Feed to everybody; the nutrition options for your pet are fantastic.” Food options range from wild bird food to organic dog and cat food to horse feed, plus a plethora of pet toys, leashes, treats, shampoos, grooming supplies and fashion is available. “The selection of fun toys for small animals is large, and I love that Jefferson Feed is local.”
Repeat customers are the norm at Jefferson Feed, not only for its awesome array of products but for its thoughtful, friendly employees and their ability to tackle gardening questions who have compassion for people’s pets as if they were their own. “The guys that have been at Jefferson Feed forever are amazing: if you want to plant, treat or exterminate something in your yard but you have animals, talk to Scott: he has incredible knowledge, knows what’s safe to use and he’s better than Google!” says Goyette. “Everyone here follows the same philosophy of expert knowledge with a personal touch,” says Morvant. “One of our customers lost his bulldog, and an artistic employee of ours sketched this bulldog out of the goodness of her heart, and it really touched him and made him feel better. Ricky who works in the yard department has been here 40 years, some of the gang’s been here 20 and 25 years, Martha, who handles our adoptions, has been here about 15 years. It becomes family, just what we want it to be. And we have an amazing veterinarian, Dr. Genevieve Wisdom, who was the shelter’s vet for 12 years and is now in private practice with her office located at Jefferson Feed’s main location. She’s done so well and she’s one of the surgeons that participates in our spay/neuter program. It’s a really good synergy!”
The Jefferson SPCA has progressive programs to support pets. “The Fix-A-Heart Program is for heartworm positive dogs that come into the shelter,” says Goyette. A dog with heartworms will eventually die if not treated. “If the adopter buys a year’s supply of heartworm prevention, we cover their heartworm treatment. We give rescues that pull JPAWS dogs over 40 pounds money to treat those dogs because about 70% of shelter dogs are heartworm positive.” The Fix-A-Canine spay/neuter program is low-cost for dogs of any Jefferson Parish residents and free for pit bulls. “There’s free spay/neuter for German Shepards and Huskies temporarily because they’ve gotten out of hand.” Fix-A-Feline is low-cost for cats and free for feral cats in traps. The innovative transport program relocates adoptable dogs to parts of the country not afflicted with dog overpopulation problems. “We transport dogs by flight and by car; one volunteer just drove a mom and six puppies to Pennsylvania. Fifteen people might meet at certain points and drive the dogs for an hour or so.”
Events like the recent ‘Bunnies and Bagels’ are held by the Jefferson SPCA. “People dump rabbits in City Park, Lafreniere Park, even in the post office,” says Goyette. “They can give birth every 32 days, it’s outrageous! For bunnies we have a spay/neuter program because they make wonderful pets, service animals and therapy animals. They love cuddling with you and can be litter box trained. We do ‘Kitten Yoga’ at the library in the summer and we’ll have fun collaborative stuff with the shelter, maybe an adoption event where dogs run around together upstairs in Jefferson Feed’s training room area.”
Happiness envelops the whole crew at Jefferson Feed and the Jefferson SPCA when the animals they wholeheartedly care for land their adoption happily ever afters. “When an adoptable animal finds their family it’s the ultimate win,” says Morvant. “It’s what it’s all about for all of us here because everybody helps with the animals, knows the animals and talks to customers about them. When families who adopted from us come to buy food, they’ll bring their pets along and we get to see them again.” “We love seeing that!” says Goyette. “On our Facebook group, ‘Somepawdy to Love from Jefferson SPCA,’ we see people love on these animals as much as we do. You’re not sure you’ll find that person for an animal you’ve been caring for. You must be patient. Suddenly we’ll get 20 adoption applications!”
Morvant has two dogs of his own and recently lost his adored 15-year-old dog, Jefferson. “He came from the Jefferson Shelter and he worked at Jefferson Feed,” says Morvant. “I thought he was a Jack Russell Terrier and he ended up being a 50-pound Pointer-esque mixed breed. At the old Jefferson Parish shelter on the West Bank, his right front paw got caught in the cage wires and had nerve damage so of course I took him home to foster him; that didn’t last very long! Once they come in the house they’re there forever.”
Goyette currently has 17 dogs, mostly senior Dachshunds. “I like helping the older, more unadoptable ones but I can’t save them all,” says Goyette. “My foster Dachshund, Wilber, has heartworms so bad he may not make it. Animals give you unconditional love, no matter what; my dogs’ kisses are stress relief. When they’re all asleep, so content and happy, I look at my dogs and think how rewarding rescuing animals is. You’ve changed their lives forever. That feeling can’t be beat.” About 30 years ago Morvant learned that just one person can make a difference for animals. “Jefferson SPCA would have a nice little festival called Pet Fest but being at the shelter, it was limited,” says Morvant. “Angela Hill shared two little words of advice with us to make it better: think big. And it turned into a major festival at Lafreniere Park with other rescue groups and shelters, from South Louisiana to Gulfport, that got the opportunity to adopt out their dogs. We thought big about venders and had about 30 veterinarian clinics there. It brought everyone together, from Boxer rescue groups to AKC show groups, to create a dynamic event and made the groups appreciate each other. Covid is a challenge but we need to reorganize and do Pet Fest again. Promoting pets is so important. I’ve had pets all my life and the world would be empty without them.”
Morvant is key to making Jefferson Feed the top spot for local pets and gardens according to Goyette. “Jefferson Feed is successful because of Lynn,” says Goyette. “He runs the show. He wants to help everybody in animal rescue: ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans, BunnAgain Rabbit Rescue, Take Paws Rescue, Weimaraner Rescue of the South are some. He’s on the board of Barkus. Lynn’s a well-respected animal man so he’s in all things.”
“It’s 100% about the animals,” says Morvant. “We have dedicated volunteers but we need more; all rescues need people who have the time. On GiveNOLA Day on May 7, people can donate to Jefferson SPCA or to any rescue.” And Morvant eschews the idea that he’s solely responsible for Jefferson Feed’s success. “It’s not about me. It’s a team effort with everyone that makes Jefferson Feed run: Rachel, Martha, I can think of a thousand different names that make it a treasure every day. They should be appreciated for putting up with me for 50 years! Since 1973, it’s just another day in paradise for me. It’s the only place I’ve ever worked at but it’s never been a day’s work. My job titles are just titles; I sweep the parking lot too. And I do whatever Rachel tells me to do!”
For more information, please see jeffersonfeed.com, @jeffersonfeed, facebook.com/jeffersonfeedpetandgarden, jeffersonspca.org, jspca.petfinder.com, facebook.com/JeffersonSPCA, facebook.com/meowtowncatadoptioncenter/, facebook.com/groups/somepawdytolovejeffersonspca/, nolajazzmuseum.org, nationalww2museum.org, wisdomanimalhospital.com, animalrescueneworleans.org, bunnagain.com, takepawsrescue.org, weimrescue.com, kreweofbarkus.org, givenola.org,
Please visit Jefferson Feed at the following locations:
Jefferson Feed, Pet & Garden Center - Jefferson Highway Location (Main Location)
4421 Jefferson Highway
Jefferson LA 70121
Phone (504)733-8572
Jefferson Feed Mid-City - Carrollton/Mid-City Location
309 N Carrollton Avenue #1N
New Orleans LA 70119
Phone (504)488-8118
Jefferson Feed Uptown - Magazine/Uptown Location
6047 Magazine Street
New Orleans LA 70118
Phone (504)218-4220
Jefferson Feed Metairie - Metairie/Veterans Location (Next to Trader Joe’s)
2949 Veterans Memorial Boulevard A-4
Metairie LA 70002
Phone (504)875-4810
Neighborhood Pet Market by Jefferson Feed - Baton Rouge/Perkins Location
12871 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge LA 70810
Phone (225)757-5877
Neighborhood Pet Market by Jefferson Feed - Baton Rouge/Airline Location
15168 Airline Highway
Baton Rouge LA 70817
Phone (225)753-9582
Tagged in Feature Celebrity in our Spring 2024 issue